Abstract

Background: The patients of Adult Lumbar Degenerative Scoliosis (ALDS) are commonly complicated with advanced age, osteoporosis, cardiopulmonary insufficiency, and some other medical comorbidity. Due to the feature of such cases, the traditional open surgery can lead to high rate of postoperative complications. The purpose of this study is to introduce our experiences and explore the efficacy and feasibility of Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (MIS-TLIF) in the treatment of patients of ALDS whose symptom is mainly single level radicular pain or neurogenic claudication, without dynamic back pain.

Methods: From January 2008 to January 2013, a retrospective study of 37 patients with ALDS treated with MIS-TLIF was completed with at least 2 year follow-up. Visual Analog Scores (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were evaluated preoperatively and at the time of 2 y follow-up. Radiographic measurements included the Cobb angle of lumbar curve, Lumbar Lordosis (LL), Sacrum Slope (SS), and Pelvic Tilt (PT). Radiographic evaluation of the fusion integrity was performed at the time of 2 y follow-up.

Conclusion: The technique of MIS-TLIF can be used to treat the patients of ALDS whose symptom is mainly single level radicular pain or neurogenic claudicationwithout dynamic back pain, achieving favorable clinical outcomes, good fusion, and satisfactory curve correction with less blood loss and complications.

Keywords

Introduction

The Adult Lumbar Degenerative Scoliosis (ALDS), described as ‘‘de novo’’ scoliosis, was defined as a curve>10º due to degeneration of the facets and discs [1]. The patients of ALDS usually suffer from radicular or neurogenic claudication symptoms and back pain which makes the surgery necessary [2-5]. But the patients of ALDS usually complicated with advanced age, osteoporosis, cardiopulmonary insufficiency and other medical comorbidities, which contribute to the high rate of postoperative complications. Traditional open surgery has been associated with a major complication rate as high as 28-86% [6-8] and the risks of morbidity have been shown to increase with advancing age [9].

In order to lower the incidence of the complication, several minimally invasive methods of treatment for ALDS have been advocated [10,11]. Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) is the most commonly used method of surgery for ALDS. However, the best option for this problem is still controversial. The advantage of MIS-TLIF is that the MISTLIF operation avoids the dissection and distraction of paraspinal muscles, preserves the attachment and innervation of paraspinal muscles, and preserves the posterior lumbar spinal ligament structures such as spinous process and interspinous ligament. At the same time, by expanding the channel with a special cold light source, the larger operation field and operating space are achieved under the smaller incision [12]. However, the main weakness of MIS-TLIF is that the indications for patients are too narrow.

The purpose of this study is to introduce our experience and explore the efficacy and feasibility of the technique of MISTLIF for patients of ALDS whose symptom is mainly single level radicular pain or neurogenic claudication, without dynamic back pain.

Materials and Methods

Patients

From January 2008 to January 2013, 37 consecutive patients with ALDS, suffering from one level lumbar stenosis, without dynamic back pain, treated with MIS-TLIF in our hospital, were retrospectively analysed. They were followed up at least 2 y. There were 16 males and 21 females, with an average age of 61.9 y (47-79 y). Preoperative medical and cardiac clearance was required for all patients. Patients with idiopathic curves, prior fusion attempts, degenerative curves below prior fused idiopathic curves, and whose symptoms are mainly dynamic or fatigue back pain, were excluded from this research. All patients had participated in non-operative therapies, including bracing, resting, physiotherapy, and analgesics, without adequate relief of their symptoms before being considered for surgery.

Study measures

Study measures were obtained through review of inpatient medical records and questionnaire. The primary measures of this study were blood loss, surgery time, the time to ambulation, postoperative hospital stay, Visual Analog Score (VAS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).

Radiologic assessment

Radiographic examinations were performed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the time of every follow-up. Radiographic data were collected and evaluated preoperatively and at the time of 2 y follow-up. The Cobb angle of lumbar curve was measured using the standard Cobb’s method on an anteroposterior radiograph, and the lumbar and pelvic parameters were measured on a lateral radiograph including Lumbar Lordosis (LL), Sacrum Slope (SS), and Pelvic Tilt (PT). The radiologic films and CT taken at 2 y follow up were utilized to assess fusion. The fusion criteria were based on Bridwell interbody fusion grading system (Table 1), and the assessments were performed by two independent assessors.

Grade

Description

I

Fused with remodeling and trabeculae present

II

Graft intact, not fully remodeled and incorporated, but no lucency present

III

Graft intact, potential lucency present at top and bottom of graft

IV

Fusion absent with collapse/resorption of graft

Table 1. Bridwell interbody fusion grading system.

Surgical procedures

Before surgery, all cases were treated with nerve root block to make sure the level where the pain comes from.

Under general anesthesia, the patient was placed in a prone position on the operating table. The needle is used to position the level under the C-arm fluoroscopy. A 2.5 cm incision was made, and a tubular retractor was placed. Then the trajectory of pedicle screw was prepared. The isthmus, the posterior arch of the vertebrae, and the inferior joint facet were resected. These local bones were kept for autograft during the interbody fusion. The nerve root was identified. Then, discectomy and endplate preparation were performed, and the disc space was packed with the autograft bones. A cage interbody graft was then inserted. The same procedure of instrumentation and decompression were performed on the contralateral side. The lumbar pedicle screws were inserted bilaterally and the progress of compression was performed. Finally, sew up the incision without drainage (Figure 1).

Figure 1: The MIS-TLIF technique: A: Position the level under the C
arm fluoroscopy. B: The road of pedicle screw was prepared. C and
D: The postoperative X-ray showed good result.

Statistical analysis

Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviations for variables. Preoperative and postoperative differences were performed using paired t test and Fisher’s exact test, and statistical significance was set at P<0.05. All analyses were carried out using the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 17.

Results

Surgical results

The average surgical time was 155 ± 28 min (105-220 min) with a mean intraoperative blood loss of 131 ± 64 ml (50-325 ml). The hospital stay was 5.2 ± 0.9 days (4-7 d). The time to ambulation was 2.2 ± 0.9 d (1-4 d) postoperatively. There was 1 dura tear with cerebrospinal fluid leakage, which was repaired during operation, without other special treatment. 1 patient suffered from pneumonia and recovered after antibiotic treatment. There was no complication of neurologic injury, wound infection, or non-union (Table 2). There has been no breakage or failure of any screw or rod.

Figure 2: A 65 y old male patient suffering from adult lumbar
degenerative scoliosis. The main complains were severe back and left
leg pain complicated with intermittent claudication. A and B:
Preoperative X-ray showed the Cobb angle was 32° and the coronal
was imbalance. C-E: Preoperative CT and MRI showed the L4/5 disc
herniation. F and G: The X-ray two-year follow-up showed the Cobb
angle was 27° and the coronal was balance. H and I: The CT twoyear
follow up showed grade 1 fusion.

Discussion

The ALDS is usually caused by the degeneration and instability of the spine. The prevalence of ALDS is reported to be 6% [13-16]. The treatment of the ALDS is in an ongoing debate [17-19]. In order to choose the best option, the Lenkesilva [1] classification is described to instruct the treatment. The open surgery to correct deformity, which can get good coronal and sagittal balance, is becoming popular. However, for the patients of ALDS, the average age is in the 60’s [20]. The advanced age of the patient often complicated with medical comorbidities, which will add additional challenges to the surgery and increase the complication rate of the patient. According to the literature, the traditional open surgery has been associated with a major complication rate as high as 28-86% [21], and the risks of morbidity have been shown to increase with advancing age [22].

To combat these challenges, the minimally invasive surgeries have been developed for the treatment of ALDS [23-25]. The minimally invasive spinal surgery can reduce intraoperative blood loss, lower infection rates, and quicker mobilization, which would be highly desired in the adult lumbar degenerative scoliosis population [26]. Rosen’s study [27] proved that patients older than 75 y with significant medical comorbidities underwent minimally invasive spinal surgery for spinal canal decompression could be efficient and safe. The minimally invasive surgical treatment of ALDS is increasingly being recognized as safe and effective.

The technique of MIS-TLIF was first described by Foley [28], which utilized tubular retractors under radiological guidance by a muscle-dilating approach. This way can reduce the amount of iatrogenic muscle and soft tissue injuries, which was confirmed by many other surgeons [29-31]. According to the former literatures, compared to the open surgery, the MISTLIF surgery generally has minimal blood loss. The patients treated by open surgery generally take three times as long to start walking, and they stay twice as long in the hospital [32].

For the patients of ALDS, the golden standard treatment is decompression, fusion and deformity correction [17,23]. For such patients, we advocated the precise treatment, the mainly goal is to solve the symptom rather than restore the alignment. The surgery should be controlled as small as possible to reduce the complication. In this paper, 26 patients with ALDS whose symptom is mainly single level radicular pain or neurogenic claudication, without dynamic back pain, were treated with the technique of MIS-TLIF and acquired satisfactory results. Compared to the literatures, the outcome demonstrated the technique of MIS-TLIF for patients of ALDS whose symptom is mainly single level radicular pain or neurogenic claudication, without dynamic back pain, to be accomplished within shorter operative time, to be associated with much less blood loss and shorter hospital stays [1,13], which result in considerably less patient morbidity, less cost, and earlier rehabilitation.

In our studythe technique of MIS-TLIF to treat patients of ALDS whose symptom is mainly single level radicular pain or neurogenic claudication, without dynamic back pain, acquire excellent clinical result. The nerve root block is a necessary procedure for precise treatment, which can make sure the level where the pain comes from. Then, with the technique of MISTLIF, we can achieve a good decompression, instrumentation and fusion with less injury, relieving patients’ pain and gaining satisfactory clinical outcome eventually.

For the patients of ALDS, whose symptom is mainly single level radicular pain or neurogenic claudication, without dynamic back pain, the technique of MIS-TLIF can achieve a good deformity correction. The change of the parameters demonstrated that the technique of MIS-TLIF could improve the balance of the patients to some degree. Through the decompression and the disk resection, the disc was loosened. And by compression and the rod placement, the balance of the vertebrate was improved. Besides, the painful stimulus caused by disc herniation is removed, the nerve root, muscle, ligament is relaxed which are helpful for deformity correction. Earlier studies have shown a significant positive correlation between the radiographic results and clinical outcomes in the surgical treatment of ALDS, which is in accordance with our study [14,33].

There are limitations in this technique. Firstly, the technique of MIS-TLIF has a steep learning curve. Due to the complicated of ALDS, it may be difficult for junior doctor to master such technique and may increase surgical time and blood loss, which induce to loss the advantage of such technique. Therefore, it would be best for the experienced surgeon to perform it.

Secondly, the patients of ALDS present many different symptoms. Right now, the technique of MIS-TLIF is only suitable for patients whose symptom is mainly single level radicular pain or neurogenic claudication, without dynamic back pain. The indication for adult lumbar degenerative scoliosis is relatively narrow. We hope in the future, the indication of MIS-TLIF can be applied to more patients.

In conclusion, for the patients of ALDS, the deformity correction is not necessary, we advocated the precise treatment to relieve the mainly pain and improve the symptom. For the patients of ALDS whose symptom is mainly single level radicular pain or neurogenic claudication, without dynamic back pain, the technique of MIS-TLIF was safe and effective. The technique of MIS-TLIF is generally associated with less blood loss and pain, earlier ambulation and discharge from hospital which reduce the incidence of the complication. Although the technique is not suitable for all patients with ALDS, it may be an alternative method.